Nicolas-Joseph de Noyelles de Fleurimont
Encyclopedia
Nicolas-Joseph de Noyelles (October 13, 1695 – August 16, 1761) originally resided in Rochefort
, France
but came to New France
in 1710 to begin his military career as an ensign in the regular colonial troops. He married in 1718 and, because of a strong family friendship with Governor Charles de Beauharnois
, he received favorable postings and promotions. His two main postings were Detroit and (near) Fort Wayne
. At Fort Wayne, he became heavily involved in the fur trade
. He was also involved in trying to settle wars and allegiances amongst various Indian tribes. It would seem that much of his activity in this area pointed to a high level of ineptness. However, the Beauharnois connection stood him in good stead. In 1744, when Pierre Gaultier de Varennes et de La Vérendrye lost the western commanders position of directing the fur trade while exploring a route to the western sea, the position was granted to Noyelles. However, this was a demanding job and he resigned in 1746.
He returned to Montreal
and led at least one campaign in the Seven Years' War
. Decorated with the cross of Saint Louis
in 1749 after a number of letters of commendation by Beauharnois, he returned to France with seven of his eight children and his wife. He died destitute in his home town of Rochefort, quieting an inquiry into his integrity.
Two of his sons also served in the regular troops in Canada; Charles-Joseph, the eldest and Pierre-Philippe, a younger son.
Rochefort, Charente-Maritime
Rochefort is a commune in southwestern France, a port on the Charente estuary. It is a sub-prefecture of the Charente-Maritime department.-History:...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
but came to New France
New France
New France was the area colonized by France in North America during a period beginning with the exploration of the Saint Lawrence River by Jacques Cartier in 1534 and ending with the cession of New France to Spain and Great Britain in 1763...
in 1710 to begin his military career as an ensign in the regular colonial troops. He married in 1718 and, because of a strong family friendship with Governor Charles de Beauharnois
Charles de la Boische, Marquis de Beauharnois
Charles de la Boische, Marquis de Beauharnois was a French Naval officer who served as Governor of New France from 1726 to 1746.Charles had two brothers who also impacted the history of New France...
, he received favorable postings and promotions. His two main postings were Detroit and (near) Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne is a city in the US state of Indiana and the county seat of Allen County. The population was 253,691 at the 2010 Census making it the 74th largest city in the United States and the second largest in Indiana...
. At Fort Wayne, he became heavily involved in the fur trade
Fur trade
The fur trade is a worldwide industry dealing in the acquisition and sale of animal fur. Since the establishment of world market for in the early modern period furs of boreal, polar and cold temperate mammalian animals have been the most valued...
. He was also involved in trying to settle wars and allegiances amongst various Indian tribes. It would seem that much of his activity in this area pointed to a high level of ineptness. However, the Beauharnois connection stood him in good stead. In 1744, when Pierre Gaultier de Varennes et de La Vérendrye lost the western commanders position of directing the fur trade while exploring a route to the western sea, the position was granted to Noyelles. However, this was a demanding job and he resigned in 1746.
He returned to Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
and led at least one campaign in the Seven Years' War
Seven Years' War
The Seven Years' War was a global military war between 1756 and 1763, involving most of the great powers of the time and affecting Europe, North America, Central America, the West African coast, India, and the Philippines...
. Decorated with the cross of Saint Louis
Order of Saint Louis
The Royal and Military Order of Saint Louis was a military Order of Chivalry founded on 5 April 1693 by Louis XIV and named after Saint Louis . It was intended as a reward for exceptional officers, and is notable as the first decoration that could be granted to non-nobles...
in 1749 after a number of letters of commendation by Beauharnois, he returned to France with seven of his eight children and his wife. He died destitute in his home town of Rochefort, quieting an inquiry into his integrity.
Two of his sons also served in the regular troops in Canada; Charles-Joseph, the eldest and Pierre-Philippe, a younger son.